Ethics in Education

Ethics in Education Act – InterPLAY Learning Academy

As a school that participates in Florida Department of Education School Choice Scholarship program, including the McKay and Gardiner (PLSA) Scholarship Programs, and pursuant to the requirements set forth in the 2008 Ethics in Education Act, please be advised that InterPLAY Learning Academy operates under the following guidelines and laws.

The Act amends Section 1002.421, Florida Statutes, related to participating private school accountability, by adding new requirements to the employee screening process. All instructional personnel and school administrators in a position that requires direct contact with students are subject to the new screening standards. The private school accountability statute has also been amended to require private schools to develop standards of ethical conduct for the school’s instructional personnel and administrators. Instructional personnel and school administrators are defined by Sections 1012.01(2) and (3), Florida Statutes.

Finally, the Act amends Section 1006.061, Florida Statutes, related to the state’s child abuse, abandonment, and neglect policy. Private and charter schools are now required to comply with these policies. An explanation of the new requirements, instructions for implementation, and links to additional resources have been provided for your convenience.

InterPLAY Learning Academy’s Employment Screening Process

InterPLAY disqualifies from employment any instructional personnel or school administrator who is convicted of an act listed under Section 1012.315, Florida Statutes.

InterPLAY conducts an employment history check before employing instructional personnel or school administrators in any position that requires direct contact with students.

InterPLAY screens new instructional personnel or school administrators using the two employee screening tools developed by the Department of Education. New instructional personnel or school administrators are those individuals employed after the law became effective on July 1, 2008.

All InterPLAY Learning Academy administrators, teachers, and staff members have been fully screened and background checked pursuant to state law.

Child Abuse Reporting and Employee Misconduct

InterPLAY Learning Academy prohibits confidentiality agreements with instructional personnel or school administrators who are dismissed, terminated, or resign in lieu of termination due to misconduct that affects the health, safety, or welfare of a student.

InterPLAY Learning Academy posts a notice at the school stating that all employees have a duty to report actual or suspected cases of child abuse, abandonment, or neglect.

InterPLAY Learning Academy posts at the school site and on the school’s Web site the policies and procedures for reporting misconduct by instructional personnel or school administrators, which affects the health, safety, or welfare of a student.

All InterPLAY Learning Academy employees have been trained to recognize signs of child abuse, abandonment, and neglect, and have been advised as to their status as mandatory reporters.

All employees and staff at InterPLAY have a legal responsibility to report any misconduct by instructional staff or school administrators. Failure to do so may result in the termination of employment and the loss of the educator’s certificate.

Should misconduct, including physical abuse, sexual abuse or neglect be suspected, the employee should report the case immediately to our Executive Director, Dana Johnson or call the abuse hotline at 1-800-96Abuse to report the incident.

Notice of Non-Discriminatory Policy

InterPLAY Learning Academy admits students of any race, color, national or ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students of the organization. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin in the administration of its’ educational policies, admissions policies, scholarship and loan programs, and other organization administered programs.